Friends....how many of us have them??

As the holiday season is upon us, I find myself reflecting on friends and what that word really means. Some friends are ones that you say "hi" to once in a while and some friends are those that you only see once every few years. Some friends work at becoming closer and some don't work at all.

Since we have moved from San Jose, I can honestly say I know who my "true" friends are. Sure, I have lots of friends in San Jose but I have to say that I only have a few "true" friends. As you get older, your circle of friends seems to get smaller and the great ones seem to bubble up to the top. In Sacramento, I don't have a ton of friends since we are still very new here but I can honestly say that I feel there are some true friends in that bunch.

What is a true friend you ask?? A true friend in one that can look past your faults and accept you for what you are. Be honest with you even when it hurts. Be flexible....not so black and white. Accept the fact that they also have faults. Be mature enough to shake hands after a disagreement and know that you will both come out stronger.

So as I grow older, my circle becomes smaller but stronger. I know that those closest to me know that once I am your friend, I'll always work at living up to my own expectations and definitions of what a friend should be. After all......that's what friends are for......